Welcome to the sixth session of this eight session series on Engaged Mindfulness. This is the last session in cultivating compassion. The topic is Active Compassion where we explore the relationship between our inner practice and compassionate action. We will also engaged in the meditative practice of tonglen, which can be done formally or onContinue reading “Active Compassion – The Agency of Inner Practice”
Category Archives: Mindfulness
Cultivating (Self) Compassion: Strengthening Our Inner Ally
Welcome to the fourth session of an eight week series on Engaged Mindfulness Meditation. This is also the second of the four sessions focused on cultivating compassion. Opening Practice We begin with a meditation aimed to settle us into our physical space, drop into the body, notice the breath, and relax into stillness. We thenContinue reading “Cultivating (Self) Compassion: Strengthening Our Inner Ally”
Cultivating Compassion: Opening Our Hearts – Lovingkindness for Our Loved Ones & Selves
This third week’s talk begins with a brief settling and intention setting practice. Intention is our innate capacity to harness and direct our energy and effort at will. And as shared in session 1, intention is one of the three pillars of mindfulness – intention, attention and attitude. We began this series of talks withContinue reading “Cultivating Compassion: Opening Our Hearts – Lovingkindness for Our Loved Ones & Selves”
Cultivating Courage: Listening With Kind Curiosity & Loving Presence
This is the second of an eight talk series on engaged mindfulness and compassion practices. Opening Meditation I invite you to either listen to the guided meditation or read offering below. Gift yourself a few minutes of loving presence. Find a comfortable posture, close your eyes or take on a soft gaze. Whatever makes youContinue reading “Cultivating Courage: Listening With Kind Curiosity & Loving Presence”
Cultivating Courage: Finding Refuge in the Body & Breath
This is the first of an eight talk series on engaged mindfulness and compassion practices. Frank Ostaseki, co-founder of the Zen Hospice Project and author of The Five Invitations, shares, “The object of meditation isn’t to change ourselves, to throw out the old and bring in the new. It’s about making friends with ourselves, meetingContinue reading “Cultivating Courage: Finding Refuge in the Body & Breath”
Why Practice Mindfulness & Compassion During These Challenging Times
Welcome! Thank you for joining me as I share with you some reasons to practice mindfulness and compassion during this time of global crisis and societal change. Throughout this talk, we will engage in brief and simple practices that can be used immediately. To move into a space of exploration, let us begin with aContinue reading “Why Practice Mindfulness & Compassion During These Challenging Times”
Meditation On Vacation With Kids
My family and I have begun our first day of vacation. I have always found maintaining my meditation practice on vacation with kids to be particularly challenging. This vacation I have vowed to meditate every morning. Well, if you saw me this morning, you would have seen someone quietly sitting on the hotel couch withContinue reading “Meditation On Vacation With Kids”
“What if this right now was enough?”
“What if this right now was enough?” is the question Anne Cushman, one of the four amazing mindfulness meditation teachers leading the 7 day silent retreat, asked as we began the week. This question became a seed planted in my heart, cultivated through 7 days of embodied mindfulness practices. The question became my guide throughContinue reading ““What if this right now was enough?””
Trippin’ Over Rocks – A Poem
Day after dayTrippin’ over rocksSometimes I forgotMy own two feet.So I stand up tallTouching the EarthRooted deepLike an ancient oak treeIn search of stability. Truth be told –I keep trippin’ over rocksDay after dayThe mind forsaking me.So I slow my paceTake a break from the raceTo tend to each stepIn search of awakening. Yet, IContinue reading “Trippin’ Over Rocks – A Poem”
The Echo of Kindness
Standing at the edge of the mountainTwo hands cupped around my mouth, Where do I belong? I shout.Right here! The echo returns.What is my purpose? I call back.To love! The echo singsAs the chirp of the birds,The rustling of the trees,The dance of the clouds Gently move my hands from my mouth to over my heart. TheContinue reading “The Echo of Kindness”